(4) Trofimov, The Eternal Student
I speak of tomorrow in fevered breath,
each word a spark against dusk.
Revolutions churn behind my eyes,
wild as these boughs at gale-tossed dusk.
You call me dreamer—yes, I confess
I thirst for a world unbound by debt.
Yet my voice quivers in this orchard,
where change arrives on quiet feet.
.
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Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 21st, 2025 05:50
- Comment from author about the poem: Peter Sergeyevich Trofimov is a young university student and perennial idealist in Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Once tutor to the late son of Madame Lyuba Ranevskaya, Trofimov remains loosely tethered to the estate, though his ideals sit in stark contrast to its fading aristocracy. He is poor, earnest, socially awkward, and deeply intellectual—symbolising the rise of a new, post-serfdom Russia grappling with transformation. Trofimov is not simply a character in dialogue—he is Chekhov’s philosophical echo. He speaks not only of education and reform, but of moral reckoning. His speeches critique inherited privilege and the inertia of nostalgia, urging a future built on self-awareness and labour.
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Comments8
Beautiful so loaded and layered with social, political and economic implications. (I thirst for a world unbound by debt.) Total destruction of capitalism. The earlier lines speak of communist revolution and dream but as a dream it too did not work out in reality. A lovely write
The fact that this was written many years before Lenin shows how the wheels and cogs have been turning and people move along with an avalanche but still choose how to ride that wave, sorry for the mixed imagery there.
Interesting that while The Cherry Orchard doesn’t wave a red flag, it quietly gestures toward the ideological storm that was about to reshape Russia. It’s a play of transition where the seeds of revolution are planted in the soil of memory; at a point wherein people polarised in their chosen paths.
Before Marx the idea was still there with some societies working in such a way
A touch of Communism beliefs expressed, which didnt turn out to good, I thirst for a world unbound by debt, wouldn't that be amazing and I feel is achievable, enjoyed the read
That didn't work out well and still hasn't. I doubt it ever will. Thanks for the insight and input, both valuable and deeply appreciated🕊️🙏🏻
You are very welcome
Truth! Philosophically speaking, according to Marx, Communism was never supposed to be the end goal. The philosophy, as I see it, fell the same way every other philosophy falls: people. Philosophy is pure...people aren't. Or maybe philosophies are only as pure as the people creating/implementing them. Hence why Capitalism sucks too, and any human-controlled system or society will end up sucking one way or the other. Love this convo, btw, and hope it's okay I hopped in. 😅
Communism and capitalism are they not the same really, the wealth is clung onto by the few, communism denies it, capitalism openly flaunts, they both use all possible avenues to maintain, wealth, power and keep the poor, poor.
Well I would agree that greed and selfishness are pervasive no matter the system espoused and employed. That’s how we bleed.
Indeed to both of you, my dear friends.
Halfway through the suite, hope the momentum holds up.
Beautiful
Thank you Tony
You're welcome
not too bad, considering the current state
This is so finely written. “Each word a spark against dusk”…is a line that really held me. The poem feels like Trofimov himself… earnest, restless, standing just outside of where he belongs. Quietly raging, but never shouting. Beautifully done, my friend. You are a master poet, imho. 🌹👏
just glad to have gotten through it, only a few more to go. thanks heaps, as always dear friend🕊️🙏🏻
Looking forward! You are most welcome!
Two beautiful stanzas that capture the very heart of the revolution of the mind. Exquisite!!
Thanks dear Bella, the mind is indeed fertile loam for thought and imaginings. Most appreciated 🕊️🙏🏻
I have to confess that this is a text that suddenly filled my heart with hope and breathed fresh air into my lungs. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing it. Best regards.
Con mucho gusto, querido amigo! A most hearty thank you to you🕊️🙏🏻
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